Tales from my eventful and ongoing journey as a Generation X caregiver for my father and as an advocate for Lewy Body Dementia caregivers.

Monday, August 6, 2012

What an Honor!!

I've just been named as one of Healthline.com's 26 Best Blogs of 2012!! I am SO honored, what a great way to be recognized. My goal has always been to share information, empathy, and comfort with other people in a similar situation, especially caregivers, and I'm so pleased to have done that in a small way. Thank you to everyone who visits, reads, and comments - I'm honored to have you!

Here is what http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/best-alzheimers-dementia-blogs had to say about my blog:

"From caregiving to cleaning house, blogger Joy Walker invites readers to join her on the journey that became 3 Years and 13Dumpsters. Moving and fun, this blog combines the joys and trials that occupy the life of a caregiver or family member of a dementia patient.

A blog is only as good as its creator, and this one shines with creativity, talent, and substance. 3 Years and 13 Dumpsters is a gem, complete with comprehensive resources for others seeking support for Lewy Body Dementia and Alzheimer’s caregiving. Join Joy as she learns even more about living, loving, and Lewy Body Dementia."

There are lots of other amazing blogs on this list and I encourage people to visit them for great info and support.

Please visit my new blog! You may also visit my website for further resources and to contact me.

Click Here to Buy the Book!

30% Goes to the LBDA.

Teepa Snow

Teepa is the reigning queen of how to interact with those who have dementia and make your life as a caregiver easier and smoother. More importantly, she teaches us how to give our care receiver the best, most comfortable, life possible.

LBD Caregiver Link

LBD Caregiver Link

Toll-free LBD Caregiver Link – 800.539.9767

LBD families and caregivers can connect directly on a regional basis, through the LBD Caregiver Link, featuring “Lewy Buddies.” “Lewy Buddies" are experienced LBD caregivers who share their time and experience with LBD families by:

vListening compassionately and confidentially to the challenges of LBD families and sharing their own personal experience with LBD

vOffering emotional support

vReferring families to additional LBDA programs and services as appropriate for their needs.

While Lewy Buddies are not able to provide medical advice and are not medical professionals, they are typically well informed about LBD through their personal experiences and volunteer training with LBDA. They may also be able to help identify information and community resources concerning the diagnosis and care of a person with Lewy body Dementia.

When calling or emailing the LBD Caregiver Link, you will speak with an experienced caregiver who can provide information on LBD and who can also share their personal experience and compassion.Please leave a message and an LBDA volunteer will return your call within 24-48 hours.

"Our deepest calling is to grow into our own authentic self-hood, whether or not it conforms to some image of who we ought to be. As we do so, we will not only find the joy that every human being seeks -- we will also find our path of authentic service in the world." Parker J. Palmer

FEATURING:

Toll-Free Hot Line at the AFA (Alzheimer's Foundation of America)

1-866-232-8484

Compassion. Knowledge. Care. That's what AFA's toll-free hot line delivers. When you reach out to us, licensed social workers and other professionals knowledgeable about Alzheimer's disease and related illnesses will answer your call. They will respond to your questions and direct you to appropriate local resources to meet your needs. No question is too small; no concern is too insignificant.

AFA's toll-free hot line provides information, counseling by licensed social workers and referrals to community resources across the nation.

The hot line operates during regular business hours—Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm (ET). During these hours, social workers are available by phone, as well as via Skype and live chat; to connect via Skype and live chat, click here. At all other times, please leave a message and we will return your call. To ask a question via e-mail, click here. If your situation is an emergency, please dial 911 when appropriate.

***************************Care Connection Teleconferences with the Alzheimer's Foundation of America.

Care Connection Teleconference

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Full Life Care

http://www.fulllifecare.org/

Welcome to Full Life Care – formerly ElderHealth Northwest. Full Life helps adults of all ages with chronic illnesses, physical or developmental disabilities. We are a not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving people’s lives and supporting caregivers. Since the 1970s, we have helped thousands of individuals preserve their dignity and avoid living in a nursing home or in isolation.

This is a great organization. My Dad visited them for years and got a lot of support through their Men's Support Group. I highly recommend them for help and support of your loved one.

*******************************Check out Seattle's Grief center if you or someone you know needs a little extra support during a tough time. http://www.healingcenterseattle.com/ *******************************What is the Helpline?

The Alzheimer's Association's Helpline is a toll-free number that you can call 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to get information about Alzheimer's disease. Through our National office, we have the ability to serve individuals in 140 different languages by accessing translation services.

Call 800.272.3900 to speak with a trained Helpline specialist who will provide emotional support and appropriate referrals to local resources in the 23 counties served by the Association. All calls are confidential.

About Me

I'm a writer, caregiver advocate, hospice/bereavement counselor and care manager for my father, who suffers from Lewy Body Dementia. I think it's important to talk about caregiving from my point of view as a member of Generation X. I also think it's important to spread the word on what Lewy Body dementia is, and how to deal with it effectively.
Some names, dates, details have been altered due to memory discrepancies, to maintain privacy, and to ensure narrative flow.